After their engineering investments helped clear the 2010 EPA emissions hurdle, truck manufacturers can now pour their R and D dollars into a familiar, yet timely project: improving fuel economy. And, with projections that this year’s diesel cost per gallon could hover around the $3 mark, the focus couldn’t come at a more needed time. Look for more Continue Reading

Challenged by several interest groups, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been conducting listening sessions across the country to gather feedback on the current hours-of-service (HOS) rules. At issue is the sleeper berth provision, and drivers contend they need more flexibility to listen to their bodies’ clocks, which don’t always coincide with the rules. The current HOS rules, which took effect Continue Reading

February’s seasonally-adjusted for-hire truck tonnage numbers indicated the third consecutive year-over-year gain, and for the first two months of 2010, freight was up 3.5 percent over the same period last year. But American Trucking Associations (ATA) economists aren’t ready to declare a full economic recovery. They agree it will take time for the industry Continue Reading

ArvinMeritor’s new tandem drive axle that offers enhanced durability and gives a boost to MPG, proven by more than 6 million miles of on-road testing by motor carriers of different sizes. The Meritor 14X features a more robust inter-axle differential that is 20 percent larger and can accommodate the increased nominal torque, up to 2,050 ft. lbs. in certain applications of today’s high-torque rise diesel engines. Its design also helps prevent Continue Reading

The latest survey on seatbelt usage among drivers of commercial drivers from the Federal Motor Carrier and Safety Administration shows significant increases even over a few years ago. In 2007, 65 percent of drivers vigilantly wore safety belts, compared to 74 percent of truckers today. The FMCSA study also revealed that drivers were more conscientious about wearing seatbelts in states with Continue Reading

FedEx Corp.’s first all-electric delivery trucks in the United States will make their debut in the Los Angeles area this June, boosting the carrier’s total alternative energy fleet around the world to nearly 1,900. The four custom vehicles are being built in the U.S. by two different manufacturers for Continue Reading

Though freight has hit bottom for most transportation modes, recovery for the less-than-truckload market is likely still distant. In part, carriers who are still hanging on because banks and lenders don’t want to be burdened with the equipment are practically giving their business away. And in today’s economic climate, it’s hard to turn down a deal despite the risk Continue Reading

Based on the latest month-to-month and year-over-year numbers, analysts at ACT Research Co., are optimistic that the increases indicate a tightening of truck capacity, which will lead to increasing freight rates and profitability for fleets. That in turn will boost demand for new trucks and trailers. In February, commercial trailer net orders hit their highest mark in Continue Reading

Featuring numerous next-generation technologies, Carrier Transicold’s new hybrid refrigeration unit, the Vector 6600MT, offers high refrigeration capacity and up to 20 percent more fuel efficiency than its predecessor. However, like the company’s Vector 6500 unit, it uses Carrier’s exclusive Deltek diesel-electric technology Continue Reading